Hello and thanks for the question. I was able to narrow your choices
of new trucks down quite a lot. The requirement that the truck seat 4
large adults mainly limits your selections to the 4 door cab variety.
The price criterion is also somewhat hard to meet, although, there are
plenty of options between 21,000 and 30,000 thousand. Based on the
reviews below and a survey of the web information on this year?s lines
of trucks- I recommend that you give special consideration to the
following two trucks that meet your criteria:
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1) 2004 Ford F-150
4dr SuperCab XL Rwd Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A)
National Base Price: $24,285
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/ford/f150/100314097/prices.html?tid=edmunds.n.mipmake.pricetable.num19.1.ford*
Specs:
*Maximum Towing Capacity: 9500 lbs.
*Maximum Payload: 1530 lbs.
*Drive Type: RWD
*Maximum Seating: 6
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/ford/f150/100314097/specs.html?tid=edmunds.n.researchlanding.featured..2.Ford
Reviews:
"Redesigning the F-150 should mean that the best-selling full-size
pickup truck is that much more appealing to potential customers. If
that is the case, and it very well looks to be, the alarms will soon
start sounding in the boardrooms of Ford?s competitors.
2004 F-150 models have roomier cabs, fresh new styling, more power and
new features. All cabs now have four doors and are six inches longer
and four inches taller. Regular cabs and extended cabs have
rear-hinged back doors; crew cabs have four full doors. Beds of
5.5-ft, 6.5-ft and 8-ft are available."
http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2004/2004-Ford-F-150.html
"We would say without a moment of hesitation that this was the
classiest, quietest, most completely equipped pickup truck interior we
have ever spent time in." -- New Car Test Drive
"With the F-150's 2900-pound-maximum-payload and
9500-pound-towing-capacity ratings, plus a comprehensively redesigned
interior that borders on Town Car luxury in upscale models, Ford has
struck a workable compromise between comfort and utility." -- Car and
Driver
http://www.carsdirect.com/research/ford/f150/2004/xl
2) 2004 Nissan Titan
4dr King Cab XE Rwd SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
National Base Price: $22,400
Specs:
*Maximum Towing Capacity: 9500 lbs.
*Maximum Payload: 1640 lbs.
*Drive Type: RWD
*Maximum Seating: 6
Reviews:
"With a stout V8, roomy interior and loads of innovative and useful
features, the Titan is a competitive full-size that every truck buyer
should consider."
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/nissan/titan/100370928/review.html?tid=edmunds.n.researchlanding.keyvdps..5.Nissan*
"Nissan?s newest model is a full-size pickup truck that is simply
bursting with features never seen before in a vehicle of its kind. Add
to that rugged power, and you?ve got a pickup that is set to announce
a new era in the segment."
http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2004/2004-Nissan-Titan.html
?"This Japanese automaker's Mississippi-built Titan competes in size
and power with Ford, General Motors, and Dodge rivals."
? Consumer Guide
?"Big square-shaped fender flares give it a look of rugged sportiness."
? New Car Test Drive
?"To some buyers, absence of a regular cab, longer beds, and
heavier-duty models are shortcomings."
? Consumer Guide
?"The Titan boasts best in class headroom; best in class torque; best
in class interior volume (for the Crew Cab); best 4x4 ground
clearance; best 4x4 approach angle; largest in class 4x4 tires."
? New Car Test Drive
http://www.carsdirect.com/research/nissan/titan/2004/xe
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COMPARISONS
Comparison of 4 Door trucks that meet your criteria:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=BFWYQNH21aLBobh17YhClInjm2zQ1YPXVC3Y06hrJcu0W8GD3iH5!376270022?basestyleid=100370928&styleid=100275071&styleid=100314104&styleid=100274758&styleid=100344151&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
2 Door Truck Comparison (note: all seat only 3 people max)
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=BFTvI3k94y20aXgBpJGA9yrO00BNBnC6wXdaf3sB6s2SL5qnctsQ!376270022?basestyleid=100313032&styleid=100275053&styleid=100289700&styleid=100274742&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs
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GENERAL TRUCK REVIEWS
Car and Driver:
"Here, the editors of Car and Driver discuss their favorite SUVs,
pickup trucks and vans. The Ford F-150 wins mention as the best pickup
by demonstrating rugged utility, an elegant interior, and a broad
enough range of models, engines, cab-configurations, cargo-box sizes
and drivetrains to suit any need. The magazine?s editors consider a
wide range of pickups before selecting the Ford, including the
Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado, the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra and
Dodge Ram. That range of competitors, coupled with a thorough range of
tests, carries the day for Car and Driver, and this article is the
best review we found."
Mar. 2004
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/pickup_trucks/reviews.html
"This review specifically covers full-sized pickups with four doors.
They are tested in both on- and off-road conditions and are evaluated
for comfort. Cargo-hauling abilities, towing capacity and payload (how
much weight the cargo box can carry) are also tested extensively. The
Nissan Titan does well here, beating the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge
Ram, Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 by virtue of its powerful engine,
off-road abilities and spacious cabin. The Titan?s sophisticated
engine allows it to hit 60 in a car-like 7.6 seconds and tow a
best-in-test 9,400 pounds. The second place Ford F-150 is praised for
being well-built and stylish, but criticized for its weight (at almost
3 tons, it outweighs all the others, and this hurt performance)."
Feb. 2004
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/pickup_trucks/reviews.html
Car and Driver Website (subscription)
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=7692
Motor Trend:
"Each year, Motor Trend looks at newly introduced and significantly
changed vehicles for its Truck of the Year award. The magazine tests
vehicles very thoroughly in both on- and off-road situations, and in
both people and cargo hauling. The Ford F-150 wins over the Nissan
Titan, Toyota Tundra, Dodge Ram, Chevrolet SSR and Colorado and the
GMC Canyon. Editors note that the Ford is available in 46 distinct
variations to allow shoppers to get exactly the vehicle they want.
They also praise its off-road prowess and smooth on-road ride: ?The
new F-150 represents a monster step forward in pickup-truck design,
styling and production,? say editors."
Feb. 2004
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/pickup_trucks/reviews.html
Edmunds.com:
"Winner: Nissan Titan
It is likely 2004 will go down as the year of the truck. Despite all
the recent activity in the crossover, sports car and ultraluxury
segments, it was a shot fired by Nissan across the bow of the American
truck makers that will echo through the truck world for years to come.
Appropriately, the vehicle rocking the truck world is called "Titan."
As the first full-size pickup to be built by a Japanese company, the
Titan has all the basics covered.
The standard (and only available) engine is a stout 5.6-liter V8 that
produces 305 horsepower and 379 pound-feet of torque, with 90 percent
of that torque available at 2,500 rpm. This engine is hooked to a
responsive five-speed automatic transmission. Two body configurations
are available: a King Cab that includes small reverse-opening doors
that swing out to nearly 180 degrees, and a Crew Cab model with four
full-size doors. Either model can be had with two- or four-wheel
drive."
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2004/100661/article.html?tid=edmunds.e.wanted04.content..1.
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Google Search Strategy:
truck reviews
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=truck+reviews
consumer report trucks
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=consumer+report+trucks
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Thanks again for the question. Please let me know if you need any
clarification of my answer. Good luck and enjoy your new truck!
Regards,
Anthony (adiloren-ga) |
